Non Profit | Fundraising

An Individual Who Attended Easter Weekend’s Bunnies On The Bayou In Houston Has Been Diagnosed With Meningococcal Meningitis According To Health Officials!

(Houston) – An individual who attended Bunnies on the Bayou on Easter Sunday has been diagnosed with Meningococcal Meningitis, the City of Houston’s Health Department announced late Saturday. Health officials and Bunnies on the Bayou are in the process of notifying attendees.

‘There may be unrecognized cases who were in close contact with this person,’ a e-mail released to the LGBT community from Bunnies on the Bayou explains. ‘This is an example of public health in action in order to prevent further cases.’

“The City of Houston Health Department contacted us about one person who was confirmed and treated,” Josh Beasley, board member for Bunnies on the Bayou explained to About News. BOTB is an non-profit, and one of Houston’s oldest and most prestigious organizations that raises money to help many different LGBTQ charities.

“To our knowledge, this is the first time in 40 years something like this has happened,” Beasley says.

Meningococcal meningitis is a rare but serious infection that can be fatal or cause great harm without prompt treatment. As many as one out of five people who contract the infection have serious complications.

Each year, approximately 1,000 people in the U.S. get meningococcal meningitis, which includes meningitis and septicemia (blood infection). According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 15% of those who survive are left with disabilities that include deafness, brain damage, and neurological problems.

“The epidemiologist said there was a lower risk of transmission in this case, but asked if we would email information out just in case,” Beasley said.

The symptoms include sudden onset fever, headache and stiff neck. Nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, and confusion are also symptoms. Symptoms may appear quickly or over several days, typically within 3-7 days after exposure. The virus is not spread by causal contact nor is it airborne.

Officials ask if you have experienced any of the above symptoms please contact your health care provider immediately. For any questions or concerns you may also contact the Houston Health Department at 832-393-5080.

Houston LGBT Club Raises Thousands In Support Of Multiple Sclerosis, Aids Services Of Houston.

(HOUSTON) — A Houston LGBT bar owner has delivered on a mighty large promise made to his customers in the community. Crocker Bar owner Grey Stephen’s vowed on social media last month to donate 50% of sales in March to benefit the two charities in the greater Houston area.

The ‘everybody-knows-your-name’ bar in the heart of Montrose was showered with support from patrons. The bar sold a total of 21,786 drinks. A statement of support from the community, as Stephens himself was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2014.

“I have Multiple Sclerosis and I cannot thank you enough for helping me in this battle,” Stephens said. “I don’t think you will ever know how much this means to me.”

Stephens and business partner Bruce Reeves’ donation of $10,893.00 will be divided among the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and Aids Services of Houston. That’s $5,446.50 for each of the two charities.

On top of the bar’s donation raised to fight MS, Reeves will be making an additional $12,000 donation that he has raised. Reeves an avid supporter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society participates each year in the MS150.

If you missed the opportunity and would like to donate you can drop off checks at Crocker Bar made out to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS).

Multiple Reality Stars, An American Gladiator, Miss Texas And Local LGBTQ+ Society & Personalities Join Together For One Night To Honor LGBTQ+ Community For The 5th Annual Face Awards Presented By Avenue 360 Health & Wellness

HOUSTON — DEC 6­— It gets real this year for Houston’s LGBTQ+ FACE Awards as some of TV’s hottest reality stars and national personalities arrive in Montrose to attend the 5th annual award show that honors the LGBTQ+ community in December. The F.A.C.E. Awards presented by Avenue 360 Health & WellnessandSmirnoff Vodka is set for Monday, December 12 at South Beach the nightclub.The City of Houston has proclaimed this day to honor the LGBTQ+ community. Red carpet arrivals at 7PM and award show at 8:30PM. Hosted by Houston award winning Lauren Kelly of Mix96.5FM and Sarah Pepper of Houston’s HOT 97.5 FM. Joey Guerra, Music Critic from the Houston Chronicle and Joy Sewing, Fashion & Beauty Editor from the Houston Chronicle will host the official ‘Live From The Red Carpet’ pre-show presented by CBS Radio.

Rolling into their 5th year, the F.A.C.E. Awards kicks into true celebrity fashion to welcome celebrity reality stars for an evening that is promised to be the ‘VMA’s of Houston.’ Bravo’s hit TV show ‘Married to Medcine’ star Dr. Ashandra “Shan” Batiste and charming TV reality husband, Richard Cumby are confirmed presenters. Miss Teen USAand Reality TV Star Nicole O’Brian Lassiter known as a former Miss Texas, and her role on CBS’ Survivor is also confirmed to present.

WEtv’s Network’s reality series Sisters In LawJolonda Jones will walk the red carpet and also present. Jones is no stranger to reality television. She has appeared on the hit CBS television show Survivor multiple times. But proudly, Jones is a Houstonian, and an outspoken advocate. Currently in production of a new reality show, and a full television camera crew in tow, Jones will grace the red carpet. Jones is currently filming a new reality show. WEtv’s Sisters In Law star Cherrise Traylor, will be joining the crowd that is set to honor some of Houston’s best in over twenty different categories. Traylor is a nationally known personal trainer, a former national football player for the Houston Energy, and an American Gladiator.

Doug Mason, president of Out At The Rodeo, long-time Houston LGBTQ+ legend Ray Hill, along sideLane Lewis are all confirmed to present. The FACE Awards welcomes the ACLU of Texas President Terri Burke as a presenter with Texas’ longest running Senator, Senator John Witmire.

Black Lives Matter’sAshton Woods will proudly present at the 2016 FACE Awards, the award show is geared around equality, and presenting honors to the LGBTQ+ community for the past year.

The F.A.C.E. Awards (First Achievers in Community Excellence) will honor people of the LGBTQ+ community in the following categories: Volunteer Of The Year, Activist Of The Year, Non-Profit Of The Year, Entertainer Of The Year, Bartender Of The Year, Event Of The Year, Business Of The Year, Barista Of The Year, Social Media Personality Of The Year, 10. Employer Of The Year, Politician Of The Year, Nightclub Of The Year, DJ Of The Year, Creative Artist Of The Year, Journalist Of The Year, Community Personality of The Year, Personal Trainer of The Year, Real Estate Agent of The Year, and Philanthropist of The Year.

Avenue 360 Health And Wellness has been named the title sponsor for the 2016 F.A.C.E. Awards. Smirnoff® Vodka will lend their award-winning name as the official presenting sponsor. Corporate CBS Radio has been crowned title media partner for the Fifth annual award show.

The 2nd Annual T.R.U.T.H. Project Kicks Off Annual Fundraiser In Montrose In October.

HOUSTON Oct 5 — The time for TRUTH has come to Houston. The T.R.U.T.H Project kicks off its annual fundraiser In Houston on Oct. 22, 12016 in Montrose. Entitled We Are Gold will be held at Zimm’s Martini & Wine Bar.

The T.R.U.T.H. Project (Telling Real Unapologetic Truths through Healing) is a 501c3 charitable organization that educates and mobilizes LGBTQ communities of color and their allies through social arts that promote mental, emotional and sexual health. The impact on the community is very surreal said Founder Kevin Anderson.

“It’s humbling to have the support of artists and healthcare providers who understand the vision for using the arts as a tool for healing through information, education, and access to resources,” Anderson said.

This year’s fundraiser will include a montage of video clips from previous installments and live demonstrations of spoken word, live music, and visual art to showcase how the T.R.U.T.H. Project connects art and health.

Since its inception, The T.R.U.T.H Project has reached more than 5,000 attendees and continues to grow. Performances are held quarterly and have addressed issues such as bullying, domestic violence, and depression. The Texas State Department of Health recognized the efforts of the T.R.U.T.H. Project and its founder, Kevin Anderson, to use the arts as a vehicle for information, awareness, and access to resources, and awarded a grant that allowed him to extend his outreach by partnering with national recording artist such as Marsha Ambrosius and Chisette Michele. He has also served as a consultant in other cities interested in starting similar initiatives.